This week David gets around the problem of pricey perennials by finding out just how easy many are to grow from seed. Ann Fitzsimmons recommends ‘first year flowering’ varieties and shows how sowing some seed now can save gardeners a small fortune. It’s the weekend of the RSPB’s big garden birdwatch. Listeners are invited to text in what they are seeing and Claire Barnett from the charity has all the information on how to take part. Also on the programme, the RHS is gifting 4 community or school gardens this year. David has been chatting to chief horticulturalist, Guy Barter, on what they are looking for. And in the first of a new series, Tony Kirkham, aka ‘the king of trees’ from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew on his favourite tree for January. 

Cut-price perennials, tree of the month and RHS community gardens

The weekly gardening programme for keen gardeners, with the latest advice, news and visits to gardens large and small around the province. Presented by David Maxwell.

Home & Garden

Leisure

A special programme from Ireland’s biggest garden show; Bord Bia Bloom.  David Maxwell will be joined by regular contributor Brendan Little for a live programme from Phoenix Park. He’ll meet designers, plant experts and he’ll visit some of the show gardens.  Contact the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk 

Gardeners’ Corner live from Bord Bia Bloom

Gardeners’ Corner visits the most talked about gardening event of the year; the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.  Presenter David Maxwell tours some of the main avenue show gardens including the gold medal winning National Garden Scheme’s garden by Tom Stuart-Smith and the Muscular Dystrophy UK garden by Ula Maria which took best in show. He also meets up with CAFRE Greenmount graduate, Anna McLaughlin, who has been working with the team who created the Stroke Association Garden.   With celebrities including Joanna Lumley, Raymond Blanc, Prue Leith, Alex Jones and of course Alan Titchmarsh; David gets a sense of Press Day at the world famous event.  Inside the Great Pavilion he speaks to experts on Delphiniums, Foxgloves and carnivorous plants and he finds Northern Irish florist Allison Hood who took silver gilt for her floristry display.  Contact the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk
  

Gardeners’ Corner from RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024

In this special programme, Gardeners’ Corner celebrates those who have passed on their passion for plants: from the parent with cuttings on the windowsill, to the high profile gardeners who have inspired through writing and broadcasting. David Maxwell hears touching listeners’ stories and heads to two gardens that have inspired millions.  Firstly, to the garden of the late Christopher Lloyd at Great Dixter where he meets head gardener Fergus Garrett who continues to inspire the next generation of gardeners, and then to Barnsdale which was the home of the late Geoff Hamilton and played host to the BBC Gardeners’ World cameras for 17 years. Geoff’s son Nick reveals how well his dad’s gardens have fared three decades on and how they are still used today to teach and inspire.  

Gardeners’ Corner special: Garden Inspirations

As summer weather arrives, David visits Cherry Townsend at Kilcoan Gardens in Islandmagee, where she has a brilliant collection of flowering plants that bridge the gap between spring and summer.  Geums, Trollius, Aquilegia and Tellima are among the highlights in the borders.  One of the biggest gardens in London is found across the river from Westminster behind the walls of Lambeth Palace.  It’s the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury but the 10 acre garden is opening for the National Garden Scheme later this month and head gardener Lindsay Schuman gives David a sneak peek.  Gordon Finch joins David in studio to talk about his fascination with ferns and restarting the local group of the British Pteridological society. Robot mowers have been gaining in popularity – producer Nicola chats about her experience with one she has nicknamed ‘Mervyn’. And Oliver Shurmann reveals his perennial of the month. In studio, Anna Hudson will be chatting about her veg patch at Ballywalter and she’ll take questions live in studio. Contact the programme gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk
  

Plants that take you from spring to summer, Lambeth palace garden and ‘Mervyn’ the robot mower

This week on Gardeners’ Corner, David Maxwell heads to a garden with purpose at Musgrave Park Hospital in south Belfast. Its spinal centre has been gifted an outdoor space for patients and staff by the charity Horatio’s Garden. David Maxwell meets Matthew Lee who is in charge of the garden designed by Chelsea gold medal winning designer Andy Sturgeon. Also on the programme, gardening in pots all year round with Sarah Raven and why you shouldn’t cut your grass this month! Expert Claire McNally joins David in studio to answer questions.  Contact the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk 

Cut-price perennials, tree of the month and RHS community gardens

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